Chris Solari
@chrissolari.bsky.social
2.7K followers 110 following 2.6K posts
Michigan State football/men's basketball reporter for Detroit Free Press, Heisman/Naismith award voter. Work found at https://www.freep.com/staff/2648040001/chris-solari/
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chrissolari.bsky.social
It's a long injury report today for MSU. No Jalen Thompson or Anelu Lafaele really hurts the DL. Nikai Martinez and Ade Willie also remain out in the secondary.
Reposted by Chris Solari
andegraham.bsky.social
Had to test drive a car (fun) so this is coming a bit later than usual (boo), but great stuff this week from @chrissolari.bsky.social, @realtonygarcia.bsky.social, @connorearegood.bsky.social, @aaronmcmann.bsky.social, @jaredramsey.bsky.social and Tony Paul (who I do not believe is on here). Dig in!
Pregame, halftime reading from Mitten Football, others
Eastern Michigan players, coaches keeping clear heads, feel close to turning corner amid early frustrations (Mitten Football, Oct. 7)
Michigan State hunting consistent offensive play after flashes in 0-2 start in Big Ten (Mitten Football, Oct. 7)
Michigan football at USC is the pendulum swing game of the season (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 8)
Spartans hope to turn 'flashes' into stout, full-game defensive effort (Detroit News, Oct. 8)
On Michigan’s vaunted defensive line, one name is quietly standing out (MLive, Oct. 9)
Nico Iamaleava was Aidan Chiles' HS rival. Michigan State's QB still looking for first win (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 9)
Catching on: Michigan’s pass offense evolution hinges on nixing drops, misfires (Mitten Football, Oct. 9)
Eastern Michigan QB Noah Kim can't help but smile about his four years at Michigan State (Detroit News, Oct. 10)
QB Luke Creighton, Salem football aim to leave program's past in a pile of ash (Detroit Free Press, Oct. 10)
chrissolari.bsky.social
It’s an early morning in East Lansing after a late night watching the Tigers. MSU-UCLA a noon kickoff (BTN) for the Spartans’ homecoming.
chrissolari.bsky.social
Senior Jaxon Kohler during Big Ten media day had high praise for MSU freshman Cam Ward (“one of the most physical guys I’ve played against as a Spartan”) and Jordan Scott (“a sniper on the 3-point line”).
chrissolari.bsky.social
Tom Izzo on BTN here at Big Ten media days says there are some times when he questions why he continues to coach. "Now, I'm just kind of homing (sic) in on my own team. ... I say I love my job, but I question my profession sometimes."
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith says he didn't see the Chiles-Marsh back and forth on the sideline, but he adds that both are competitors and "those guys love each other and all that."
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith says both Nikai Martinez and Ade Willie have a potential to play vs. UCLA, but both MSU defensive backs will be late-week decisions.
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith continues to say that UCLA looked "galvanized" when he watched the game film of the Bruins' upset of Penn State. "They looked like a brand new team."
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith says Aidan Chiles would be helped with better protection and more from the run game, but the coach also saw some signs of problems he had last season.
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith: "We got outplayed, outcoached in the fourth (quarter)" at Nebraska.
chrissolari.bsky.social
Smith says third-down struggles on offense points to lack of run game efficiency. Again points to coaching and schematics as well as players. Admits he saw the pass protection looked worse upon reviewing the film than it did during the game.
chrissolari.bsky.social
MSU coach Jonathan Smith says "a lot that hurt us in that game" on special teams. Points to coaches not having players prepared properly. "We got a big-time punter and he's got a big-time leg" but Spartans need to cover better. Adds that has been a strength prior to Saturday.
chrissolari.bsky.social
Very infrequently. But I try to keep grades in a vacuum surrounding one game.